Two Grow Houses Taken Out – September 22, 2010

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Eye Staff Report

ARCATA – On Wednesday, Sept.22, officers from the Arcata Police Department’s Special Services Unit, assisted by the Humboldt County Drug Task Force, served two search warrants on suspected illegal marijuana growing operations in Arcata.

The first search warrant was served on a single family dwelling at 1850 Haeger Avenue. There, a sophisticated marijuana cultivation operation was discovered at that location.

The residence had substantial illegal modifications to the home’s electrical system, resulting in multiple building code violations.

22-year-old Bruno Oliveira, also of Arcata, was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of maintaining a house for unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance and cultivation of marijuana.

The house is owned by Jimmy Finney of Eureka. APD Det. Sgt. Todd Dokweiler said that Bruno resided in the house, but that the rest of the residence had ben converted to marijuana production. It was determined the marijuana growing operation was not in compliance with proposition 215 guidelines and nearly 250 marijuana plants were seized.

The second search warrant was served on a two-story residence at 3361 Ribeiro Lane, the upper story of which had been converted for cannabis growing.

The residence had illegal modifications to the electrical system for the purpose of marijuana cultivation resulting in building code violations.

The Ribeiro Lane house is owned by Steven and Laurie Irwin and is listed on property records as their legal residence.

34-year-old Rodrigo Oliveira of Arcata, Bruno’s brother, was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of maintaining a house for unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance and cultivation of marijuana.

Dokweiler said both grow houses had been independently reported by concerned neighbors. Electrical service to the homes has been cut off. The owners will have to make repairs and have the homes inspected for code compliance before electricity is restored.